Asher's POVI drove round and round the road, how I managed to survive was a miracle. As I drove recklessly, I was in pain—not from the bruises from my father's beating. I was a fool, a very big fool. “I wish I could turn back the hands of time”, I thought, maybe I might not have made the risky investment I did with IAS. Maybe I might not have carried out projects that were not fruitful, or not have carried any projects at all.I couldn't bear Arabella seeing me like this. It would hurt my ego, looking like a mess in front of her. My father was furious, and he had every reason to be. The suite I had been managing was his precious baby; he had started his first suite business with that. I kept driving, the hours blending together. The city lights blurred past, a whirlwind of colors and shapes. “Why did I have to be so reckless?”, “damnit,” I said, as the car's engine roared as I pushed it to its limits, the speedometer needle climbing higher and higher. I needed to outrun my thoughts
Ashers POVDriving to my father's home made my heart pound, my fingers slick with sweat. “I'm nervous as hell. I hope this ends well. There has to be another way out besides him disowning me.” As I approached the house, I felt a wave of nostalgia all over me. I hadn't been here in about ten years due to the memories of the house and the memories were ones I wished I could forget as I still had traumas about my childhood. “Damnit, I don't want to be here.”I stepped into the parlor, and the past rushed back. I vividly remember that seven years old me. I was seven years old, hiding behind the worn-out couch, my breath shallow. Mrs. Blackwood's voice echoed through the house. "Come out, you bastard!" Her footsteps grew louder. My hands were sweaty, my heart raced. I felt the sting of the first spanking, sharp and humiliating. Later, she dragged me to the little room downstairs, locking me inside. The darkness was suffocating. _Why is she being mean to me?” I had always asked as I crie
Asher's POVI sat in the car, staring at the documents, my mind filled with a lot of things. “ Damnit, damnit” I cursed repeatedly. “There has to be another way.”I couldn't make Arabella sign a document agreeing to her father's death. “I'm not that heartless.”But the options were slim, I knew I definitely could not take the chance of being disowned just because of her, I didn't hold her in such high esteem.My hands shook as I turned the pages, the words blurring together. “Think, Asher. There must be another way.” But deep down, I knew there wasn't. My father's ultimatum was clear. Either making her sign the document or being stripped of my title as a Blackhood. “I can't lose everything. Not like this.”I glanced at my phone and saw a missed call from Arabella, she had been calling for quite some time, I knew I definitely could not face her now and I surely couldn't go home, I didn't want to face after what she saw and I neither did not want to drive around aimlessly either. I
Arabella's POVAt the very sight of Asher, I broke into a run. My feet pounded the ground, my heart racing not just from the sprint but from the emotions, I barely could hide my excitement. The moment I reached him, I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. My chest tightened as I felt him stiffen and shift slightly, his face twisted slightly in paint. It was as if any time his body came in contact with mine, he experienced pain. “ Oh shit, his bruises' 'I muttered to myself.My eyes welled up with tears, and I fought to keep my voice steady. "I'm so sorry, Asher," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. I removed my hands from his.He gave a small, strained smile, trying to hide the pain. "There is no need to be. Can we have breakfast already." He saidThe fact he was pretending to be okay, broke me. I could see how stressed he looked, the pain from his bruises, and the way he was forcing himself to pretend he was okay. His lips brus
Asher's POV"Damn," I muttered under my breath, unable to look away. She was beautiful. Her skin was soft and fresh, almost glowing in the dimmed sunlight. I leaned in closer to her, her sweet, strawberry-like perfume filled my nostrils. Her chest rose and fell with each breath she made, her breathing was peaceful. The sight of her sleeping so soundly made my heart skip for a bit. She was a beauty to behold even though a few strands of hair covered her face, but that didn't disturb her sleep. She slept comfortably, and innocently, and for a moment, I felt like I was about to steal candy from a baby.A guilty feeling washed over me, making me sit upright. My eyes drifted to the drawer where the document was hidden. "Oh shit," I cursed, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was about to do. I felt like the most horrible human being alive, but what choice did I have? I couldn't bear the thought of being disowned, not again. The very idea sent chills down my spine.I shook my head, tr
Arabella's P.O.V"You’re awake," he says, closing the balcony door behind him.I blinked and sat up. "Oh, yeah," I replied, realizing I must have fallen asleep after about three rounds of sex. I stretched my arms and legs, which felt a bit stiff. He smiled. "Since you’re rested, how about we go to my friend's pub, the NightHawk?""Your friend?" I asked, never heard him talk about a friend"Yes, a very good friend of mine," he said. "I've known him for ages. He laughed, tossing his finger in his hair, "It might sound crazy, but the first time we met, we threw blows at each other" “One minute we were fighting, and the next, we were best friends. He’s been there for me through the tough times of my life. I am sure you'll like him. He always has a smirk on his face but deep down he has been through a lot” he said, I noticed a change of expression on his face.“ He is sure a crazy dude, willing to help others but he doesn't let others help him, he has been through shit,” he said, as he
Asher's POV“What the bloody hell are you saying?” I shouted, my tone a bit high. My hands trembled as I gripped my phone, and then in a sudden burst of anger, I stoned it against the wall. The phone shattered, pieces scattering across the floor. This is all wrong. I never expected this. “Dammit,” I cursed as I ran, scratching my head in frustration. Could this get any worse? I thought this was all too much to process. I slammed my fist against the wall. “Shit” Arlo had warned me about this shady investment. I clenched my teeth, barely able to suppress my anger. “Argh!” I screamed as I stomped my foot, the action doing nothing to ease the tension coiling within me. I’m so screwed. If I didn't fix this, I wasn't the only one in trouble—my family was at risk too.“Fuck!” I kicked at the scattered pieces of my phone, the sharp edges cutting into some part of my exposed skin. How could I have been so stupid? I banged my head against the wall, the pain a dull counterpoint to the chaos
Arabella's POV I laid on my. bed, tossing and turning around trying to forget everything but I was unable to forget his words. Each time I moved, Williams' words echoed louder in my mind, bringing fresh tears. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, over and over again and each time it was ripped apart it stinged more, the pain was too much to bear. It had been five good years that had passed since my brother died, and when I had just thought I had finally found a way to live with it, to live with this guilt. But now, Williams' accusations had to ruin the efforts I had put in to live with this guilt, it had opened wounds again."You bloody murderer." Those three words played over and over in my mind, stinging each time it echoed in my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about what Williams said. He blamed me for my brother's death. He said I killed Ryder. I had blamed myself so many times for his death, so many times that I was the reason he never got to enjoy the life he fought